Contributory Pension: ‘How I Collect N23k As Retired Police Officer’ – Rep Member Laments Plight Of Officers

• As Bill To Exempt Police From Scheme Passes Second Reading

Shehu Koko Mohammed, a member of the house of representatives, representing Maiyama/Koko/Besse federal constituency in Kebbi state, has lamented the plight of police officers who are currently facing difficulties accessing their funds in the contributory Pension Scheme.

Shehu Mohammed spoke while supporting the bill to exempt the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from the contributory pension scheme.

The bill passed second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The bill titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Pension Reform Act, 2014 to Provide for Exemption of the Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme; and for Related Matters” was presented by Francis Ejiroghene Waive (APC, Delta) at the plenary on Tuesday.

Supporting the bill, Shehu Koko Mohammed (APC, Kebbi), who is a retired police officer, said he collects N23,000 as monthly pension.

He said the situation of retired police officers in the country is pathetic.

He said that the country needs to appreciate their contribution to the security and wellbeing of Nigeria in terms of security.

Presenting the bill, Francis Ejiroghene Waive, said retired police personnel are passing through difficult times after leaving service.

He said while their pension is meagre compared with other security agencies, the contributory pension is an impediment to their access to benefits.

He, therefore, urged that, Section 5 (1) of the Pension Reform Act 2014 should be amended to remove the NPF personnel from the scheme.

After the debate, the House passed the bill for second reading and referred it to the House committee on pensions.

Retired police officers were at the National Assembly on Tuesday, waving placards and singing solidarity songs to press home their demands.

The retired officers called on the National Assembly to remove them from the contributory pension scheme.